Driving in Ireland vs. Taiwan: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the diverse landscapes of Ireland and Taiwan, understanding the unique driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol thresholds, these two nations exhibit notable contrasts. Familiarize yourself with the distinct road etiquette and legal requirements to navigate confidently and responsibly abroad.
Lanes
| Ireland | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
ireland:
Left
taiwan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
taiwan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
ireland:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Ireland | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Taiwan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
taiwan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
taiwan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
taiwan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ireland | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
ireland:
Not allowed
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Ireland | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
ireland:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
taiwan:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
ireland:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately